David Sharpe wants 15 new players over summer

Paul Kendrick

DAVID Sharpe admits Wigan Athletic are looking to bring in up to 15 new players during another summer of mass upheaval at the DW.

This time last year Uwe Rosler landed nine new signings, with Malky Mackay bringing in a further dozen midway through the campaign.

There’s no individual aspect to this, it’s all about the group

David Sharpe

With eight senior men out of contract and six loan players having returned to their parent clubs, it promises to be another revolving door situation for the next few months as Gary Caldwell reshapes the squad in his mould.

The Latics chairman is adamant the new-look recruitment team is up to the task of bringing in quality recruits that will stand the test of time.

And he admits the candle is being burnt at both ends to ensure the right men are in place for the start of the League One campaign.

“That’s how it’s going to be, and that’s what needs to be done,” Sharpe told the Evening Post.

“There could be, in the end, up to 15 players we bring in, and that means every day is a challenge.

“But we’re looking forward to that challenge as a group.

“There’s no individual aspect to this, it’s all about the group.

“Myself, Gary, Jonathan (Jackson), Graham (Barrow), Matt (Jackson) are all in it together, and we meet regularly - probably every day - to make things happen.

“We’re trying to set the ball rolling as early as we can so we don’t miss out on anything.”

Latics are yet to make their first signing of the ‘New Era’, with Caldwell currently mulling over a list of potential targets that contains dozens of names.

But Sharpe says Latics can’t afford to rush into anything as they attempt to get their recruitment drive back on track.

“There’s probably a list of five or six players in each position who we’re looking at,” he admitted.

“But the deal’s got to be right for the player and the football club.

“If everything’s right then we’ll do it, but the more meetings we can have the better, because you iron out all the potential problems there might be.

“That’s what needs doing, because we’ve made some mistakes in the past.

“We’ve also done some positive things as with with the likes of James McCarthy, Victor Moses, Charles N’Zogbia.